Cozy Hearty Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe for Chilly Days

Crafting a delightful hearty vegetable beef soup can transport you to a cozy kitchen filled with warmth and comfort.

Aromatic herbs and tender meat create a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Rich broth simmers with colorful vegetables, promising a meal that nourishes both body and soul.

Chunky pieces of beef blend seamlessly with seasonal vegetables, offering a satisfying experience.

Home cooks appreciate how simple ingredients can produce such remarkable depth and complexity.

Nutritious and filling, this soup becomes more than just a meal, it’s a celebration of home cooking.

Gather your ingredients and let the magic begin!

Why Hearty Vegetable Beef Soup Warms the Soul

• Craft a Comforting Meal: Packed with nutritious vegetables and tender beef, this soup delivers a wholesome one-pot wonder that warms both body and soul.
• Minimal Prep, Maximum Flavor: Simple chopping and browning steps create a rich, hearty dish that tastes like it simmered all day with minimal kitchen effort.
• Perfect Family Gathering Dish: Generous portions and kid-friendly ingredients make this soup an ideal meal for bringing everyone together around the dinner table, satisfying different taste preferences with its classic, universal appeal.
• Adaptable Kitchen Companion: Easy to customize with additional vegetables or herbs, this recipe welcomes personal touches while maintaining its delicious core flavor profile.

Ingredients for Hearty Vegetable Beef Soup

• Beef Stew Meat: A hearty and flavorful protein that provides richness and substance to the soup.

• Onion, Garlic: A classic aromatic base that adds depth and savory notes to the soup.
• Carrots, Celery: Fresh vegetables that contribute natural sweetness and a crisp texture to the dish.
• Potatoes: Starchy root vegetable that makes the soup more filling and comforting.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds acidity and a slight tanginess to balance the soup's flavors.

• Beef Broth: The primary liquid that creates the soup's foundation and enhances the overall meaty flavor.
• Dried Thyme: A fragrant herb that provides an earthy and slightly minty undertone to the soup.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the soup's overall taste profile.

How to Make Hearty Vegetable Beef Soup

Step 1: Sear the Beef

Heat a large pot over medium flame. Toss in beef stew meat and cook until each side develops a rich, golden-brown crust. This step locks in incredible flavor and creates a delicious foundation for your soup.

Step 2: Awaken the Aromatics

Introduce chopped onions and minced garlic to the pot. Stir and cook until they release their fragrant oils and become translucent, creating a mouth-watering base for your hearty soup.

Step 3: Build the Soup Foundation

• Sliced carrots
• Chopped celery
• Diced tomatoes
• Beef broth

Pour everything into the pot and bring to a rolling boil. Then reduce heat to a gentle simmer, allowing flavors to meld together beautifully.

Step 4: Slow Simmer and Develop Depth

Let the soup bubble softly for one hour. This slow cooking process tenderizes the meat and deepens the soup’s rich flavor profile.

Step 5: Finish with Hearty Touches

• Diced potatoes
• Dried thyme
• Salt
• Black pepper

Continue simmering for another 30 minutes until beef becomes fork-tender and vegetables reach perfect softness.

Step 6: Serve and Savor

Ladle the steaming soup into bowls. Enjoy the robust, comforting flavors of this classic homemade vegetable beef soup.

Pro Tips for Hearty Vegetable Beef Soup

• Opt for chuck roast or stew meat with good marbling to ensure tender, flavorful beef that melts in your mouth.
• Enhance the soup's depth by deglazing the pot with a splash of red wine after browning the meat, capturing all those delicious browned bits.
• Keep sodium levels in check by using low-sodium beef broth and adjusting salt to taste during cooking.
• Boost nutritional value by adding extra vegetables like spinach, kale, or zucchini during the last 15 minutes of simmering for added texture and nutrients.
• Make this soup freezer-friendly by storing in airtight containers for up to 3 months, perfect for quick meal prep on busy weeknights.

Variations to Personalize Hearty Vegetable Beef Soup

• Southwestern Spice Kick: Replace beef broth with chicken broth, add diced green chiles, cumin, and chili powder for a zesty Mexican-inspired soup.
• Mediterranean Herb Garden: Incorporate fresh rosemary, oregano, and swap out beef for lamb. Add cannellini beans and spinach for an Italian countryside feel.
• Rustic Root Vegetable Remix: Include parsnips, rutabaga, and sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes. Enhance with smoked paprika for deeper flavor complexity.
• Asian Fusion Comfort Bowl: Use low-sodium soy sauce, ginger, and sesame oil. Replace beef with ground turkey and add bok choy for an Eastern-inspired version.

Suggested Pairings for Hearty Vegetable Beef Soup

• Pair with Rustic Red Wine: Choose a medium-bodied red like Syrah or Cabernet Sauvignon that complements the rich beef flavors and cuts through the soup's hearty texture.
• Serve with Crusty Sourdough Bread: Warm, tangy sourdough provides the perfect vehicle for soaking up the delicious broth and adds a delightful textural contrast to the tender beef and vegetables.
• Match with Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Sprinkle aged cheddar on top of the soup to introduce a creamy, tangy element that enhances the overall depth of flavor and adds a luxurious touch to the dish.

Storage Advice for Hearty Vegetable Beef Soup

• Store leftover soup in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator, sealing in flavors and preventing bacteria growth.
• Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Stays good for 2-3 months, perfect for quick future meals.
• Pour soup into a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or paper towel. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.
• Pour soup into a pot, add a splash of beef broth to prevent drying. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated thoroughly.

FAQs About Hearty Vegetable Beef Soup

• What type of beef works best for this soup?

Chuck roast or stew meat are ideal because they become tender and flavorful when slow-cooked, providing rich taste and a melt-in-your-mouth texture.

• Can I make this soup in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can! After browning the beef and sautéing onions, transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-6 hours.

• Is this soup nutritionally balanced?

Absolutely! The combination of lean beef, multiple vegetables, and broth provides protein, vitamins, minerals, and fiber, making it a well-rounded, nutritious meal.

Hearty Vegetable Beef Soup Recipe

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4.9 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 43 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Rich, comforting hearty vegetable beef soup warms souls with its deep, slow-simmered flavors. Tender beef chunks and fresh seasonal vegetables create a nourishing meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 1 pound beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized pieces

Vegetables:

• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 carrots, sliced
• 3 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 potatoes, peeled and diced

Liquid and Seasoning:

• 6 cups (1.4 liters) beef broth
• 1 can (14.5 ounces / 411 grams) diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Heat a large pot over medium-high temperature and sear beef chunks until a rich golden-brown crust develops on all surfaces.
2. Incorporate onions and garlic into the pot, allowing them to release their aromatic essence for approximately 2-3 minutes.
3. Pour beef broth into the pot, then gently introduce sliced carrots, chopped celery, and diced tomatoes.
4. Elevate the liquid to a robust boil, then immediately reduce heat to a gentle simmer, covering the pot and allowing ingredients to meld together for 60 minutes.
5. Introduce diced potatoes, sprinkle dried thyme, and season with salt and pepper, continuing to simmer for an additional 30-40 minutes until meat becomes fork-tender and vegetables reach perfect consistency.
6. Verify meat’s tenderness by gently piercing with a fork; vegetables should be soft but not disintegrating.
7. Ladle the steaming soup into deep bowls, ensuring each serving contains a harmonious blend of meat and vegetables.
8. Optionally garnish with fresh parsley or crusty bread for a complete meal experience.

Notes

• Choose lean beef cuts like chuck or round for a healthier version with less fat and better texture.
• Enhance flavor by deglazing the pot with a splash of red wine after browning the meat, capturing all those delicious browned bits.
• For a gluten-free adaptation, ensure beef broth is certified gluten-free and skip any potential flour-based thickeners.
• Boost nutritional value by adding extra vegetables like kale, spinach, or zucchini during the last 15 minutes of cooking for additional vitamins and minerals.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 33 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 220 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg